May 2024 Tip of the Month

For ABOG 2024 Qualifying Exam Candidates

As you wrap up your residency, balancing end-of-year projects and deadlines with your remaining study time becomes crucial. Recognize that you may not cover every topic on your study plan. Focus on mastering essential topics first. Our Test Topics Manual is a valuable resource, outlining high-yield topics and expected test questions. Review your study plan weekly, prioritizing high-yield topics and gradually phasing out low-yield ones. Aim to complete your entire review between May and June, dedicating July to reinforcing your strengths. After studying each topic, practice with written questions. Our Written Question Manuals (WQMs) are tailored to this purpose, featuring over 1200 questions organized by topic. They provide detailed explanations for each answer, along with references. Available in both printed and online formats, our WQMs are unmatched in allowing targeted question searches. Additionally, we offer Q Banks for OB/GYN with random topics, ideal for building volume and variety once your review is complete. Lastly, our Practice Test mirrors the actual exam, with 250 timed questions spanning 4 hours.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey—we're here to support you every step of the way.

Test-Taking Technique:
You probably intuitively knew this, but studies confirm that students usually miss the questions they spent the most time on. Compare this to the lead runner. Turning to look back to see where the other runners are will just slow him down. Thus, we recommend you proceed methodically, deliberately, and purposefully answer FIRST those questions for which you know the answer. For questions that you cannot determine the answer readily (e.g., within 30 seconds), develop a system of priority for returning to those questions AFTER you finish those for which you easily know the answers. Don’t compromise sure-pass questions by getting bogged down with the tougher questions that you will most likely get wrong anyway. The computer will let you flag the questions, but not by priority. As you go back through, start with those questions that you are certain you can figure out but will need a little bit of time to think through. Next, tackle those questions that you must put more work into. They’re not impossible, but you’re going to have to spend considerable time. Finally, for those questions that you haven’t any idea about (where do they find these?!), use the SAME LETTER for all your WILD GUESSES. Keep on truckin’ and don’t look back. We are not aware of any evidence-based recommendation for which letter to use, but since all questions have at least four options, but some with five, we advise against using the letter “E”. Therefore, choose either “A, B, C, or D” for your wild guesses, but use the SAME letter for all, as you statistically will have a better chance of getting some correct. 

For ABOG 2024 Certifying Exam Candidates

With only three months remaining, it's crucial to have your collection of cases up to date. By now, you should have reviewed all your past OB and GYN entries and selected three-fourths, if not all, of your office patients. Plan to finalize all 40 categories by the end of June, maximizing the use of as many categories as possible. A well-organized case list can significantly impact its defense. Join us on May 19^th, 2024, for our Virtual Case List Workshop with Dr Krishna Das and Dr. Amos Adelowo as they guide you step by step through the process of creating a sure-proof case list. Don’t miss out on our current special promotion discount for this one-day virtual workshop via Zoom. Apply discount code . Consider seeking expert validation—ABC faculty offers a Comprehensive Case List Review, providing construction tips for each case. Submit your case list as soon as possible, as reviews operate on a first-come-first-served basis, with high demand starting in mid-June. Before fully focusing on your case list, register proactively for the fall review course. We recommend our hybrid Board Review Course on August 13-18, 2024, held in Asheville, NC, or remotely via Webex. Alternatively, if you can't attend the review course, consider registering for our Virtual Oral Exam Workshop on Tuesday, August 13th. This workshop is dedicated to defending your case list and navigating the structured cases section of the exam. This month, prioritize completing your case list over studying.

Case List Construction Tip: 
Formatting is the most powerful tool to raise your case list head and shoulders above the others -especially in strategically pulling the examiner to cases YOU want to talk about. The mandatory entry online has presented some new challenges with formatting, but we’ve got it figured out. If you need some help or simply a boost of confidence, let us review your list before submission. We get overrun and it’s first come first served, so send us your list by the end of May or early June. The examiner gets your list before they meet you, so your #1 construction goal is to create a list that’s a pass walking into the exam.

For Subspecialist Candidates for the 2024 ABOG General Certifying Exam

If you're collecting cases retrospectively, stick to what you know best. It's easy to forget things in a short time if you're not regularly practicing. Focus on the core, essential cases—the ones that represent high-yield topics for your general board exam. Our Hybrid Board Review Course, held on August 13-18, offers a comprehensive guide for your certifying exam. You can attend in person in Asheville, NC, or virtually via Webex. Join us on May 19^th, 2024 for our Virtual Case List Workshop with Dr Krishna Das and Dr. Amos Adelowo as they guide you step by step through the process of creating a sure-proof case list. Don’t miss out on our current special promotion discount for this one-day virtual workshop via Zoom. Apply discount code . Given the importance of your case list, consider seeking expert validation. ABC faculty can conduct a thorough Comprehensive Case List Review, offering construction tips for each case. Submit your list promptly, as reviews are on a first-come, first-served basis, and demand increases from mid-June onwards.

Case List Construction Tip:
Remember you are sitting for your general boards. The least important case list is your specialty. In your “off subject,” you must list 20 applied patients from your chief resident cases. You want these cases to reflect a depth and breadth of care. Choose bread & butter cases and try and use as many categories as possible. I challenge you to use 20 categories!

Chief Residents Planning a Subspecialty Fellowship

Subspecialty fellows are permitted to select 20 patients from their Chief resident year for their off-specialty case list. In other words, GYN Oncologists, REI, and Urogynecologists will need an OB list and MFMs need a GYN list. Start collecting those cases now, while you still have easy access to patient records. To be on the safe side, we recommend you collect at least 30, so you can strategically select the final 20 later. For those patients, keep a file of the following: for the GYN patients, collect the H&Ps, operative notes, pathology reports, and discharge summaries. For OB patients, keep a file of the prenatal forms, delivery notes, discharge summaries, and postpartum notes. Don’t worry at all about the office patients, as you may compile these cases only during your fellowship. A word of caution – right now you are at your peak for general OB/GYN knowledge. Believe it or not, two years from now, your knowledge base will regress to that of an intern. Yes, it’s true if you don’t use it, you lose it. So those cool, esoteric, bizarre, once-in-a-career cases now will be a nightmare to defend later. Your greatest allies are your junior residents. If they can’t easily defend that case, cease, and desist and “go fish” for another case.

Test-Taking Technique:
I know you can’t wait to move on to your subspecialty training. However, you’re at your peak in your general OB/GYN knowledge. You will have forgotten so much by the time you take your oral exam. So, collect those “bread and butter” common cases now. Yeah, those boring ones you turn over to the interns. You will be ever so grateful later. Fellows have the option to apply for the accelerated track. I know you’re busy and excited to matriculate into your subspecialty, but truly, if you don’t use it, you lose it! Plan to apply for the fast track just as soon as you get your congratulatory letter notifying you that you passed your written boards. If you begin with the end in mind, then there will be no surprises, as forewarned is forearmed.

For AOBOG 2024 Oral Exam Candidates

AOBOG has decreased the number of stations a candidate rotates through from four to three, and the length of each station has increased from 55 minutes to 75 minutes, but the overall time of the exam will remain the same at four hours including breaks. They will incorporate the visual slides, video clips, etc. into the three stations in an oral format. Each of the stations will use a minimum of three scenarios from the following topics.

• General Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Office Based
• Hospital Based
• Outpatient Based
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Neoplasms of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and those associated with pregnancy.
• Questions regarding workup and diagnosis of other common neoplasms of the female (breast, colon, or other)
• Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
• Urinary stress incontinence/ genital prolapse.
• Sexual dysfunction/ pain syndromes
• Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility:
• Contraception management
• Ultrasonography of the female pelvis
• Workup and treatment of the infertile couple
• Maternal Fetal Medicine:
• Evaluation of the high-risk pregnancy
• Early screening tests and diagnostic workup
• Interventions available during pregnancy
• Questions Relevant to Professionalism, Communication Skills, and Lifelong Learning:
• Protocols
• Electronic Health Records
• Patient Safety
• Drills

Source: https://certification.osteopathic.org/obstetrics-gynecology/certification-process/obstetrics-gynecology/oral-exam/

We'll evaluate Osteopathic Philosophy and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in terms of treatment approaches for both obstetric and gynecologic patients. Our OMM for OB/GYN offers a focused review specifically tailored for exams. While we believe our course is top-notch, it's essential to look for specific features in any review course. Opt for a board review course rather than just a general review to ensure it's exam-focused. Kickstart your studying by joining our August 14-18 Board Review Course, either in person in Asheville, NC, or virtually via Webex. Over the five days, you'll engage in high-yield lectures and structured case discussions. With limited time available, it's crucial to prioritize your study materials effectively. Remember, you're not alone—we're here to support you every step of the way.

ABOG Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Candidates

Part II: Lifelong Learning: ABOG just published the 2^nd quarter articles. Of course, you can extend or drag out those first-quarter articles up until the November 15^th deadline, but why? You need to finish up those first-quarter articles and start working on the 2^nd quarter ones. 
Part III: Secure Written Exam For those of you in MOC Year 6, you must pass a written exam by November 15^th, 2024. Our five-day hybrid review course is designed with your needs in mind. Whether you prefer in-person learning in Asheville, North Carolina, or virtual participation via Webex from the comfort of your home, we've got you covered from August 14-18. This isn't your typical review course—it's tailored for adult learners like yourself who prioritize evidence-based medicine. Our focus is on exam preparation, with all lectures aligning with national ACOG guidelines. Plus, you'll leave with valuable everyday practice tips to enhance your skills. Remember, success is within reach, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

1. Safety
2. Anatomy & Physiology, Basic Sciences 
3. Genetics
4. Ethics & Professionalism

Royal Canadian College 2024 Exam Candidates

For those preparing for the fall written exam, we highly recommend maximizing your study efforts by enrolling in our Structured Cases for the OSCE exam. These cases, carefully selected by Dr. Krishna Das, cover a range of subjects including Obstetrics, Oncology, Office, Perioperative Complications, REI, Gynecology, Safety, and Urogynecology and U/S. Each set comprises 45-85 cases with 4-6 follow-up questions in PowerPoint format. Additionally, you will receive the examiner's answer sheet, providing questions and point values for pass/marginal/fail assessments.